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Making connections was priority No. 1 for Aigerim Shorman and
Shana Zheng. As founders of Triptrotting, an online community
that connects travelers with locals, the pair quickly recognized
that startup accelerators could be their ticket to mentorship and
funding.

After raising $300,000 in seed money from Pasadena, Calif.,
incubator Idealab and launching their company last May, Shorman
and Zheng applied to Launchpad LA, the Los Angeles accelerator
program founded by venture capitalist Mark Suster. Launchpad
invests $50,000 in each company accepted into its four-month
program and provides business advice, free shared office space
and networking opportunities.

Since joining the program in January, Triptrotting has raised
nearly $1.5 million more from investors such as Google Ventures
and 500 Startups. We spoke with Shorman about her adventures in
fundraising.

Why did you apply to Launchpad?
We wanted access to more mentors and more investors. Launchpad
was one of the big up-and-coming accelerators in Santa Monica,
which is becoming an entrepreneurial center here in L.A. We
wanted to be at the heart of it. We thought it would be a great
opportunity for us to meet people and expand our network.

What was the application process like?
There's an application you fill out on the Launchpad website. You
need to have an elevator pitch, a business model and a
distribution and marketing plan. They had more than 400
applications for this class. For the final round, we met with
managing director Sam Teller and had dinner. Then we got our
invitation to join.

How has the program helped you with
networking?
They have a speaker series on Monday evenings that really gives
us great exposure to successful entrepreneurs, investors and
mentors. Everything becomes part of this environment. Even
sitting in the open office space, people come in and out every
day, and we meet hundreds of people.

So investors just waltz in looking for hot startups to
fund?
Pretty much. The whole idea of the program is to get companies
funded. It's very bright and open. There are no walls. Most of
the conversations happen more or less in open space. Investors
sometimes meet with companies right at their desk, after the
introductions are made.

We were already fundraising when we joined Launchpad, so it was
much easier to talk to investors who came in. And some of our
investors--Google Ventures, for example--didn't come to
Launchpad, but we met them through an introduction.

What are the other benefits of being part of an
accelerator?
The mindset. The caliber of people you're surrounded by makes you
realize how much further you could be going and how much you can
achieve. You become part of this environment that's trying to
make bold moves.

Everyone helps each other out. We will always say, "Hey, what do
you think about this splash page? What do you think about this
design?"

What advice can you give others interested in accelerator
programs?
Obviously, you have to have a great business model and a great
idea. But it's also important to have a cohesive team driving the
business. High-quality accelerators like Launchpad want teams
that are dedicated. People like Mark Suster and Sam Teller can
tell if you are just playing around at this or if you are
serious.